Treatment with 8-OH-modified adenine (TLR7 ligand)-allergen conjugates decreases T helper type 2-oriented murine airway inflammation.

A strategy to improve allergen-specific immunotherapy is to employ new adjuvants stably linked to allergens. The study is addressed to evaluate the in vivo and in vitro effects of allergens [natural Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 2 (nDer p 2) and ovalbumin (OVA)] chemically bound to an 8-OH-modified adenine. Humoral and cellular responses were analysed in allergen-sensitized and challenged mice by using conjugates (Conj) in a therapeutic setting.

Perspectives in vaccine adjuvants for allergen-specific immunotherapy.

The design of more powerful adjuvants is a tool of crucial interest to ameliorate vaccination strategies to reduce injections and/or dose of antigen, induce local immunity and obtain better protection. Effective anti-infectious vaccines should elicit protective TH1 responses, cytotoxic CD8+ cells and antibody-forming cells. However, cytokine microenvironment is a key point also in targeted therapeutic vaccinations, such as allergen-specific immunotherapy, where the interference with an already-existing but inappropriate immunity is required.

A novel allergen-adjuvant conjugate suitable for specific immunotherapy of respiratory allergy.

Background: Several approaches to find a better adjuvant, focus immunomodulation, and reduce allergenicity are under investigation to improve the efficacy and safety of specific immunotherapy.

Objective: We performed an investigation of the in vitro and in vivo effects of a purified allergen chemically conjugated to a novel 8-OH modified adenine as an adjuvant.

Methods: Purified group 2 major allergen from house dust mite chemically conjugated to 4-(6-amino-9-benzyl-8-hydroxy-9H-purin-2-ylsulfanyl)-butyric acid succinimidyl ester was analyzed by using mass spectrometry.

Etanercept downregulates the Th17 pathway and decreases the IL-17+/IL-10+ cell ratio in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Purpose: To evaluate circulating and lesional CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells belonging to Th1, Th2, and Th17 patterns as well as IL-10(+) cells before and after a 12-week lasting course with etanercept or acitretin in patients with psoriasis.

Methods: 15 patients were given etanercept 50 mg twice weekly and 15 patients acitretin 0,4 mg/kg/day, both for 12 weeks. At the baseline and at the end of the treatment, blood and skin samples were taken to investigate IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, and IFN-γ-producing CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells.